This is the classic Russian Front waist buckle (6.5cm long by 4.75cm wide), also worn in France and Italy as a replacement for the earlier aluminium and nickel silver buckles of the pre-war era. This is marked and dated for Assmann 1943. It would have been worn by all ranks up to, but excluding, commissioned officers.

This is of die-struck (pressed steel) construction and has most of its original silver wash finish in place. A point to note is that there is a zinc finish underneath the silver wash, an anti-rusting device, a feature rarely found on the fakes.

Please note that this is the real deal - compare it with the modern Hungarian imitation on my site (under the fakes section) and you will see a myriad of important differences!

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.